Rashu Hiyaa Hotel
A beachfront local-island hotel where the Indian Ocean is right outside the door.
A place to stay on Dhiffushi
Rashu Hiyaa is a 30-room hotel on Dhiffushi, a local island in Kaafu Atoll roughly 36.6 km northeast of Malé. It sits directly on the beachfront, and several room categories look straight out over the water. Rates start at $64 per night. The hotel runs The Kettle Restaurant, a beachfront dining room open from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM with a multi-cuisine menu. On-site, there is also the WHIM convenience store, BBQ facilities, and boat charter services. Water-based excursions — from dolphin cruises to diving — can be arranged through the property.
The honest verdict
A straightforward beachfront hotel on a lived-in local island, with honest room rates, a full-day restaurant, and easy access to snorkelling, diving, and dolphin-cruise excursions.
Best for
- Budget-conscious couples or pairs
- Travellers wanting a local-island experience
- Water sports and excursion seekers
- Those who prefer direct beach access without resort prices
Maybe not ideal for
- Guests wanting an alcohol-inclusive bar
- Families needing larger interconnecting rooms
- Travellers who want to avoid ferry or speedboat journeys
Right on the beach
The hotel sits on Dhiffushi's beachfront. Beach-view rooms open onto balconies facing the water, and The Kettle Restaurant is positioned on the same beachfront strip, so the sea is a constant presence rather than a distant feature.
The Kettle Restaurant
Open at 5:30 AM for early risers, The Kettle serves coffee and fresh pastries before the day begins. The head chef shapes the multi-cuisine menu around guest preferences, and the kitchen runs through to 10:00 PM. Continental, Halal, and buffet options are available.
Rooms with balconies and views
All six listed room types include a private balcony or patio. The upper tiers face the beach directly; the standard Deluxe rooms look out over the city side. The Superior Double includes a sauna inside the room itself.
Water activities on Dhiffushi
The hotel arranges boat-based excursions including snorkelling at Fish Point and Turtle Point, reef shark and stingray viewing, sandbank trips, sunset dolphin cruises, fishing, and diving. Canoeing and windsurfing equipment are also available on site.
Rooms & suites
Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
15 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 large double bed
- Balcony
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Deluxe Twin Room with Balcony
20 m² · sleeps 2 · 2 single beds
- Balcony
- View
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Superior Double Room with Balcony
20 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 large double bed
- Balcony
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Superior Twin Room with Balcony
15 m² · sleeps 2 · 2 single beds
- Balcony
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Deluxe Double Room with Beach View
15 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 large double bed
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Deluxe Twin Room with Beach View
20 m² · sleeps 2 · 2 single beds
- Balcony
- View
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Inside Rashu Hiyaa Hotel
Amenities at Rashu Hiyaa Hotel
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Balcony
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Room service
- Non-smoking rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
Bedroom
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
Outdoors
- Outdoor dining area
- BBQ facilities
- Patio
- Balcony
- Garden
Kitchen
- Dining table
- Cleaning products
- Electric kettle
Room amenities
- Socket near the bed
- Drying rack for clothing
- Clothes rack
Getting there
Dhiffushi sits in Kaafu Atoll, approximately 35 km from Malé. The journey from the airport is by public ferry or shared speedboat. The hotel provides an airport shuttle service, so guests should confirm the specific transfer option when booking. Dhiffushi is a local island with its own community and shoreline.
The public ferry costs only a few dollars but runs on set days; a shared speedboat is typically $25–50 per person one way. The guesthouse usually arranges the speedboat — confirm days and fare.
On the map
Rashu Hiyaa holds a 4.6/5 Google rating across 265 reviews. Recent guests have specifically praised the location, rating it at a high level. Bed comfort is another theme that appears frequently in positive feedback. The continental, Halal, and buffet dining options also draw consistent mention.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Rashu Hiyaa from Malé airport?
The hotel is around 35 km from Malé, on Dhiffushi island in Kaafu Atoll. The transfer is by public ferry or shared speedboat. The hotel also provides an airport shuttle service, so it's worth confirming arrangements directly when you book.
What room types are available?
There are six room categories: Deluxe Double and Twin with Balcony, Superior Double and Twin with Balcony, and Deluxe Double and Twin with Beach View. All have private balconies. Beach-view rooms face the water directly.
Which room is the best value for couples wanting a beach view?
The Deluxe Double Room with Beach View starts from around $106 per night and gives a balcony looking toward the sea. It is 15 m² with one large double bed, free WiFi, and a minibar included.
Is there a restaurant at the hotel?
Yes. The Kettle Restaurant is on the beachfront and opens at 5:30 AM, serving coffee and pastries early. It runs until 10:00 PM with a multi-cuisine menu. Continental, Halal, and buffet options are available.
What water activities can be arranged?
The hotel can arrange snorkelling at Fish Point and Turtle Point, reef shark and stingray viewing, sandbank excursions, sunset dolphin cruises, fishing, and diving. Canoeing and windsurfing equipment are also on site.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling directly from the beach?
Snorkelling excursions are arranged by boat to specific sites such as Fish Point and Turtle Point. The facts provided do not confirm a walkable house reef off the hotel's beach.
Is the hotel suitable for families?
All rooms sleep a maximum of two guests. Families may find the twin-bed categories useful for two adults, but no larger or interconnecting rooms are listed in the available facts. Check with the hotel directly for family arrangements.
Is free WiFi available throughout the hotel?
Free WiFi is included in most room categories. It is listed in the Deluxe and Superior Twin rooms and the Deluxe Double rooms. The Superior Double Room with Balcony does not list free WiFi in its facilities.
What is the best time of year to visit Dhiffushi?
The Maldives generally sees drier conditions from November through April, with calmer seas that are better for snorkelling and diving excursions. The exact seasonal conditions for Dhiffushi are not specified in the hotel's published facts.
What other facilities are on the property?
The hotel has BBQ facilities, an outdoor dining area, a garden, bicycle rental, room service, and the WHIM convenience store on site. A conference room and boat charter services are also available.
How much does a stay cost?
Rooms start from around $64 per night for the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony. Beach-view rooms start from approximately $106. The Superior categories begin at $91. Prices will vary by date and availability.
How can I book a room?
Bookings can be made through major online travel platforms. The hotel also has an airport shuttle, so it is worth contacting the property directly after booking to confirm transfer arrangements and any excursion requests.